Prepared for:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
http://www.ahrq.gov
290-97-0011
Task No. 3
Technical Support of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Prepared by:
Research Triangle Institute
3040 Cornwallis Road
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Kathleen McTigue, MD, MPH
Russell Harris, MD, MPH
M. Brian Hemphill, MD
Audrina J. Bunton, BA
Linda J. Lux, MPA
Sonya Sutton, BSPH
Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD
December 2003
This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of
clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for
reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.
AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve
the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical
errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts
research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality;
and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers—patients
and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers—make more informed decisions
and improve the quality of health care services.
Prepared for:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
540 Gaither Road
Rockville, MD 20850
http://www.ahrq.gov
290-97-0011
Task No. 3
Technical Support of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
Prepared by:
Research Triangle Institute
3040 Cornwallis Road
P.O. Box 12194
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Kathleen McTigue, MD, MPH
Russell Harris, MD, MPH
M. Brian Hemphill, MD
Audrina J. Bunton, BA
Linda J. Lux, MPA
Sonya Sutton, BSPH
Kathleen N. Lohr, PhD
December 2003
This report may be used, in whole or in part, as the basis for development of
clinical practice guidelines and other quality enhancement tools, or a basis for
reimbursement and coverage policies. AHRQ or U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services endorsement of such derivative products may not be stated or implied.
AHRQ is the lead Federal agency charged with supporting research designed to improve
the quality of health care, reduce its cost, address patient safety and medical
errors, and broaden access to essential services. AHRQ sponsors and conducts
research that provides evidence-based information on health care outcomes; quality;
and cost, use, and access. The information helps health care decisionmakers—patients
and clinicians, health system leaders, and policymakers—make more informed decisions
and improve the quality of health care services.